Plastic Blends Research Articles

Waste-recovered quaternary blends: Enhancing engine performance through hydrogen induction by varied injection timing and pressure for sustainable practices

This study explores sustainable energy solutions by utilizing waste-recovered quaternary blends of Scenedesmus obliquus, waste plastics, n-octanol, and hydrogen induction to enhance engine performance. This research aims to address this imperative by proposing a novel blend that not only repurposes waste materials but also leverages hydrogen induction to augment the combustion characteristics of a single cylinder Kirloskar engine's injection timing and injection pressure. The waste plastic is recovered by the pyrolysis method and Scenedesmus obliquus by the transesterification process. The study revealed that out of all the blends, the fuel at 23° before Top Dead Center (bTDC) and 210 bar outperformed all blends with 1.99% better brake thermal efficiency than diesel. The lowest brake specific energy consumption observed was 10.753.35 MJ/kW-hr at 23° bTDC and 240 bar injection pressure, which was 160.38 kJ/kW-hr higher than diesel. Fuel Injection Timing at 23° bTDC at 170 bar shows a 42 ppm decrease for Scenedesmus Obliquus Waste Plastic Octanol 50% (SOWPOCT50) mix compared to diesel. At fuel injection timing (FIT) timing, 23° bTDC and a pressure of 240 bar Injection Pressure (IP), the SOWPOCT50 mixture lowered 0.097 g/h Carbon Monoxide (CO) concentration to diesel. This enormous increase in efficiency and reduction in emission paved a potential replacement source for neat diesel towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Addition of Coffee Waste-Derived Plasticizer Improves Processability and Barrier Properties of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)-Natural Rubber Bioplastic.

This study aimed to develop a value-added bio-based polymer product for food packaging. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) is a promising bioplastic with limitations in processability and brittleness, which our group previously addressed by incorporating high-molecular-weight natural rubber (NR) compatibilized with peroxide and coagent. Yet, processability in an industrial setting proved difficult. Coffee oil epoxide (COE), a waste-derived plasticizer, was incorporated into the PHBV/NR/peroxide/coagent matrix via extrusion, and properties of resulting sheets were evaluated. COE incorporation significantly decreased the oxygen and water permeability of the PHBV/NR sheets. Maximum degradation temperature Tpeak (°C) increased by ~4.6 °C, and degree of crystallinity decreased by ~15.5% relative to pristine PHBV, indicating good thermal stability. Melting (Tm) and glass transition temperatures (Tg) of the PHBV/NR blend remained unchanged with COE incorporation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed ~10.36% decrease in crystal size for the plasticized blend. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed good dispersion with no phase separation. The water uptake capacity of the plasticized blend was reduced by 61.02%, while surface contact angle measurements showed improved water resistance. The plasticized PHBV sheet shows promise for environmentally friendly packaging films due to its high thermal stability, effective barrier properties, and industrial scalability.

Stapler Strategies for Upcycling Mixed Plastics.

Mechanical recycling is one of the simplest and most economical strategies to address ever-increasing plastic pollution, but it cannot be applied to immiscible mixed plastics and suffers from property deterioration after each cycle. By combining the amphiphilic block copolymer strategy and reactive compatibilization strategy, we designed a series of stapler strategies for compatibilizing/upcycling mixed plastics. First, various functionalized graft copolymers were accessed via different synthetic routes. Subsequently, the addition of a very small amount of stapler molecules induced a synergistic effect with the graft copolymers that improved the compatibility and mechanical properties of mixed plastics. These strategies were highly effective for various binary/ternary plastic systems and can be directly applied to postconsumer waste plastics, which can increase the toughness of mixed postconsumer waste plastics by 162 times. Most importantly, it also effectively improved the impact resistance, adhesion performance, and three-dimensional (3D) printing performance of mixed plastics, and permitted the recycling of plastic blends 20 times with minimal degradation in their mechanical properties.

Immiscible Polymer Blends Made from Industrial Shredder Residue Mixed Plastic with and without Melt Blending.

The processing of an immiscible polymer blend using melt blending (i.e., extrusion) often results in a polymer material with inferior mechanical performance compared with its virgin counterparts. Here, we report and compare the properties of immiscible polymer blends produced from industrial mixed plastic waste from shredder residue comprising at least four different polymers (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene) with and without a prior melt-blending step employed. As anticipated, mixed plastic blend produced with a prior melt-blending step exhibited a more homogeneous microstructure, resulting in brittleness, poor work of fracture, and single-edge notched fracture toughness with a flat R-curve. Without the intimate polymers mixing arising from melt blending, the resulting mixed plastic blend was found to possess a more heterogeneous concentric ellipsoid microstructure with large single polymer domains. This mixed plastic blend demonstrated progressive failure under uniaxial tensile loading, along with a more ductile single-edge notched fracture toughness response accompanied by a growing R-curve. Digital image correlation and fractographic analysis revealed that melt blending created a large number of incompatible polymer boundaries that acted as stress concentration points, leading to brittleness and earlier onset catastrophic failure. The more heterogeneous mixed plastic blend produced without using a prior melt-blending step contains a smaller number of incompatible polymer boundaries. Additionally, the presence of larger single polymer domains also implies that the mechanical characteristics of the single polymer can be exploited in the immiscible mixed plastic blend. Our work opens up a simple pathway to add value to mixed plastic waste from shredder residue for use in engineering applications, diverting them away from landfill or incineration.

Enhanced Biochar Production via Co-Pyrolysis of Biomass Residual with Plastic Waste after Recycling Process

Biomass pyrolysis for oil production results in biochar byproduct, whose characteristics can be improved by the reuse of waste plastics. While the plastic recycling process leads to a large amount of plastic waste that cannot be reused, this underutilized feedstock holds the potential for coprocessing with biomass, thereby increasing the likelihood of producing valuable biochar products. This study sought to evaluate how the inclusion of plastic waste influences the pyrolysis of biomass residue. To this end, sawdust and hardwood biomass were chosen as materials to investigate how the presence of plastics might alter the properties of the resulting chars. Synergies were observed among the biomass components, particularly in samples with higher lignin content from hardwood biomass, which resulted in increased biochar yields. The results showed that a 20% blend of plastic waste with wood at 300°C produced a solid char with a yield of 40% by weight. Co-pyrolysis of the biochar derived from blends of 20 wt. % PP with both sawdust and hardwood resulted in significant enhancement of various properties of the resulting biochar, including surface area, carbon content, hydrophobicity, and aromaticity. This enhancement had a favorable effect on the carbon content and calorific values of the biochar. These enhanced properties significantly contributed to the biochar’s capacity for sorbing substances like various heavy metals. It can be proved that this result showed the importance of the energy content of biochar and its potential use for renewable applications. The beneficial combined effect seen in the plastic blends can be credited to the interaction between the biomass and polymer components, resulting in the production of fewer volatile products at higher temperatures. It can be suggested that biochar from biowaste and plastic waste not only reduces environmental impact but also converts it into a valuable and eco-friendly product.

Lab-scale and full-scale industrial composting of biodegradable plastic blends for packaging.

The acceptance of compostable plastic packaging in industrial composting plants is not universal despite available certification due to the persistence of plastic residues after composting. To better understand this discrepancy, this study compared the disintegration rates of two blends designed for rigid packaging (polylactic acid based) and soft packaging (polybutylene succinate based) in lab-scale composting tests and in an industrial composting plant. A lab-scale composting test was conducted in triplicates according to ISO 20200 for 4, 8 and 12 weeks to check the disintegration potential of the blends. Duplicate test material were then exposed in the compost pile of an industrial composting plant for a duration of 3 weeks and compared with a supplementary lab-scale test of the same duration. The rigid packaging samples (1 mm thickness) retained on average 76.4%, 59.0% and 55.7% of its mass after 4, 8 and 12 weeks respectively in the lab-scale. In the plant, the average remaining mass was 98.3%, much higher compared to the average of 68.9% after 3 weeks in the supplementary lab-scale test. The soft packaging samples (109±9 µm sample thickness) retained on average 45.4%, 10.9% and 0.3% of its mass after 4, 8 and 12 weeks respectively in the lab-scale. In the plant, a high average remaining mass was also observed (93.9%). The supplementary lab-scale test showed similar remaining mass but higher fragmentation after 3 weeks. The results show that the samples achieved significant disintegration in the lab-scale but not in the plant. The difference between the tests that might further contribute to the differing degradation rates is the composition and heterogeneity of the composting substrate. Therefore, the substrate composition and thermophilic composting duration of individual plants are important considerations to determine the suitability of treating compostable plastic in real-world conditions.

Material Characterizations of the Polymers Reinforced with Recycled Flexible Plastic Blends as Filament for 3D Printing

The high consumption of single-use plastics and the low recycling rates have seriously polluted the soil and ocean environments. Thermoplastic materials from recycling can be used to make filaments for 3D printing. This study is focused on preparing, characterizing, and comparing the polymers reinforced with recycled flexible plastic blends to be used as a filament in additive manufacturing. In this regard, two types of polymers were used to create the filament: High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polypropylene (PP), which were mixed with recycled flexible plastic (RF). The mixture was initially used to create filament by using a single extrusion machine, with various ratios of virgin HDPE and PP to recycled flexible plastic (in weight%) at temperatures of 190°C and 230°C. Then, the filament blends were characterized using infrared (IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). TGA analyses revealed that RF can increase the thermal stability of V- HDPE and V-PP upon blending, and HDPE/RF blends show a higher decomposition temperature than PP/RF. FESEM indicated that adding 30% RF is the best percentage for both polymer blends where the structure appears ductile. It can be concluded that the HDPE 70% blend is suitable for 3D printer filament as it showed the best decomposition temperature and the ductility of the fracture structure, which meet the requirements for 3D printer filament.

Optimization of some physical and mechanical properties of film developed from Tacca starch and plasticizer blends

Optimization of some physical and mechanical properties of film developed from Tacca starch and plasticizer blends

Biomass-plastic fusion: In-depth characterization through FTIR and TGA analysis

As nonrenewable resources are rapidly depleting, environmental pollution considerably increases. Biomass is converted into energy through thermochemical and biological processes, and pyrolysis is the most suitable and effective among thermochemical methods. This study primarily focuses on the co-pyrolysis of biomass and plastic waste and aims to determine the properties of biomass, food waste, and plastic blends through Fourier transform infrared analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and ultimate analysis and characterize the results of their mixing. Sample preparation techniques were demonstrated, and different biomass to plastic mixture ratios were used. Additionally, combining plastic waste with biomass inhibits energy breakdown and reduce biochar waste. Moreover, the co-pyrolysis of biomass and plastic was explored, and the methods for preparing composites of biomass and plastic waste were discussed. TGA analysis results showed that the ratio of plastic to biomass affected the yield of the bioproducts. When plastic content was 100%, the bio-oil yield was 0%, and the biochar yield and gas were 93.84% and 6.16%, respectively. When the ratio of plastic to biomass was 75%, the bio-oil yield increased to 9.16%, and the syngas yield was 12.29%. Biochar and syngas yields decreased and increased, respectively, with decreasing plastic content. Biochar was 57.46%, and syngas yield was 36.31% at a ratio of plastic to biomass of 50%. The yields at 100% plastic content were higher than 75% plastic content possibly due to the difference in carbon content among the feedstocks. This study provides valuable insights into the effects of the ratio of plastic to biomass on yield of the byproducts.

Photodegradation of Plastic Blends in Seawater and Its Risk to the Marine Environment

The production and use of plastic blends have been gradually increasing owing to their versatility and low cost. However, the photodegradation of plastic blends in seawater and the potential risk to the marine environment are still not well understood. In this study, plastic blends including polypropylene/thermoplastic starch blends(PP/TPS) and polylactic acid/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/thermoplastic starch blends(PLA/PBAT/TPS) were investigated. The corresponding neat polymers, namely polypropylene(PP) and polylactic acid(PLA), were set as control groups. We investigated the formation of MPs and the changes in the physicochemical properties of plastic blends after photodegradation in seawater. The size distribution of MPs indicated that PP/TPS and PLA/PBAT/TPS were more likely to produce small-sized particles after photodegradation than PP and PLA owing to their poorer mechanical properties and lower resistance to UV irradiation. Noticeable surface morphology alterations, including cracks and wrinkles, were observed for plastic blends following photodegradation, whereas PP and PLA were relatively resistant. After photodegradation, the ATR-FTIR spectrum of PP/TPS and PLA/PBAT/TPS showed a significant decrease in the characteristic bands of thermoplastic starch(TPS), indicating the degradation of their starch fractions. The C 1s spectra demonstrated that aged plastic blends contained fewer -OH groups than the pristine MPs did, further confirming the photodegradation of TPS. These results indicate that PP/TPS and PLA/PBAT/TPS had a higher degree of photodegradation than PP and PLA and thereby generated more small-sized MPs. In summary, plastic blends may pose a higher risk to the marine environment than neat polymers, and caution should be taken in the production and use of plastic blends.

Polymer Multi-Block and Multi-Block+ Strategies for the Upcycling of Mixed Polyolefins and Other Plastics.

Due to a continued rise in the production and use of plastic products, their end-of-life pollution has become a pressing global issue. One of the biggest challenges in plastics recycling is the separation of different polymers. Multi-block copolymers (MBCPs) represent an efficient strategy for the upcycling of mixed plastics via induced compatibilization, but this approach is limited by difficulties associated with synthesis and structural modification. In this contribution, several synthetic strategies are explored to prepare MBCPs with tunable microstructures, which were then used as compatibilizer additives to upcycle mixtures of polyolefins with other plastics. A multi-block+ strategy based on a reactive telechelic block copolymer platform was introduced, which enabled block extension during the in situ melt blending of mixed plastics, leading to better compatibilizing properties as well as better 3D printing capability. This strategy was also applicable to more complex ternary plastic blends. The polymer multi-block strategy enabled by versatile MBCPs synthesis and the multi-block+ strategy enabled by in situ block extension show exciting opportunities for the upcycling of mixed plastics.

Polymer Multi‐Block and Multi‐Block+ Strategies for the Upcycling of Mixed Polyolefins and Other Plastics

AbstractDue to a continued rise in the production and use of plastic products, their end‐of‐life pollution has become a pressing global issue. One of the biggest challenges in plastics recycling is the separation of different polymers. Multi‐block copolymers (MBCPs) represent an efficient strategy for the upcycling of mixed plastics via induced compatibilization, but this approach is limited by difficulties associated with synthesis and structural modification. In this contribution, several synthetic strategies are explored to prepare MBCPs with tunable microstructures, which were then used as compatibilizer additives to upcycle mixtures of polyolefins with other plastics. A multi‐block+ strategy based on a reactive telechelic block copolymer platform was introduced, which enabled block extension during the in situ melt blending of mixed plastics, leading to better compatibilizing properties as well as better 3D printing capability. This strategy was also applicable to more complex ternary plastic blends. The polymer multi‐block strategy enabled by versatile MBCPs synthesis and the multi‐block+ strategy enabled by in situ block extension show exciting opportunities for the upcycling of mixed plastics.

Effects of diesel‐ethanol-waste oil cooking and plastics blends reused in common rail direct injection diesel engine

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of transesterifying waste oils using alcohol and a catalyst to provide a sustainable fuel alternative. To ensure that the resulting biodiesel met American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) criteria, we studied its most important parameters of diesel‐ ethanol-waste oil cooking and plastics blends. We were able to separate out three unique fuel mixtures: BF0 (100% diesel), E20 (20% ethanol and 80% diesel), W20 (20% waste cooking oil and 80% diesel), and P20 (20% waste plastics oil and 80% diesel). In this experiment, a single-cylinder, computer-controlled diesel engine with direct injection was used. Fuel consumption increased by 4.3% for W20, 6.7% for E20, and 0.4% for P20, while thermal efficiency decreased by 2.1% for W20, 4.2% for P20, and 2.1% for E20, based on measurements conducted at 23.5° b Top Dead Center (TDC), Compression Ratio (CR19) under full load. At 23.5° b TDC injection time, NOx emissions were observed to be lower. Adding 20% W to conventional fuel at 23.5° b TDC enhanced the engines combustion characteristics.

Gastric carboxylesterases of the edible crab Cancer pagurus (Crustacea, Decapoda) can hydrolyze biodegradable plastics

A promising strategy to counteract the progressing plastic pollution of the environment can involve the replacement of persistent plastics with biodegradable materials. Biodegradable polymers are enzymatically degradable by various hydrolytic enzymes. However, these materials can reach the environment in the same way as conventional plastics. Therefore, they are accessible to terrestrial, freshwater, and marine biota. Once ingested by marine organisms, highly active enzymes in their digestive tracts may break down biodegradable compounds. We incubated microparticles of five different biodegradable plastics, based on polylactictic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and polyhydroxybutyrate-co-valerate (PHBV), in-vitro with the gastric fluid of the edible crab Cancer pagurus and evaluated the hydrolysis rates by pH Stat titration. A plastic blend of PLA with PBAT showed the highest hydrolysis rate. The enzymes in the gastric fluid of crabs were separated by anion exchange chromatography. Fractions with carboxylesterase activity were identified using fluorescent methylumbelliferyl (MUF)-derivatives. Pooled fractions with high carboxylesterase activity also hydrolyzed a PLA/PBAT plastic blend. Carboxylesterases showed molecular masses of 40–45 kDa as determined by native gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Our study demonstrated that digestive carboxylesterases in the gastric fluid of C. pagurus exhibit a high potential for hydrolyzing certain biodegradable plastics. Since esterases are common in the digestive tract of organisms, it seems likely that other invertebrates possess the ability to hydrolyze biodegradable plastics.

Chemical Modification of Oxidized Polyethylene Enables Access to Functional Polyethylenes with Greater Reuse.

Polyethylene is a commodity material that is widely used because of its low cost and valuable properties. However, the lack of functional groups in polyethylene limits its use in applications that include adhesives, gas barriers, and plastic blends. The inertness of polyethylene makes it difficult to install groups that would enhance its properties and enable programmed chemical decomposition. To overcome these deficiencies, the installation of pendent functional groups that imbue polyethylene with enhanced properties is an attractive strategy to overcome its inherent limitations. Here, we describe strategies to derivatize oxidized polyethylene that contains both ketones and alcohols to monofunctional variants with bulk properties superior to those of unmodified polyethylene. Iridium-catalyzed transfer dehydrogenation with acetone furnished polyethylenes with only ketones, and ruthenium-catalyzed hydrogenation with hydrogen furnished polyethylenes with only alcohols. We demonstrate that the ratio of these functional groups can be controlled by reduction with stoichiometric hydride-containing reagents. The ketones and alcohols serve as sites to introduce esters and oximes onto the polymer, thereby improving surface and bulk properties over those of polyethylene. These esters and oximes were removed by hydrolysis to regenerate the original oxygenated polyethylenes, showing how functionalization can lead to materials with circularity. Waste polyethylenes were equally amenable to oxidative functionalization and derivatization of the oxidized material, showing that this low- or negative-value feedstock can be used to prepare materials of higher value. Finally, the derivatized polymers with distinct solubilities were separated from mechanically mixed plastic blends by selective dissolution, demonstrating that functionalization can lead to novel approaches for distinguishing and separating polymers from a mixture.

Lab-scale and on-field industrial composting of biodegradable plastic blends for packaging

Background: The acceptance of compostable plastic packaging in industrial composting plants is not universal despite available certification due to the persistence of plastic residues after composting. To better understand this discrepancy, this study compared the disintegration rates of two blends designed for rigid packaging (polylactic acid based) and soft packaging (polybutylene succinate based) in lab-scale composting tests and in an industrial composting plant. Methods: A lab-scale composting test was conducted in triplicates according to ISO 20200 for 4, 8 and 12 weeks to check the disintegration potential of the blends. Duplicate test material were then exposed in the compost pile of an industrial composting plant for a duration of 3 weeks and compared with a supplementary lab-scale test of the same duration. Results: The rigid packaging samples (1 mm thickness) retained on average 76.4%, 59.0% and 55.7% of its mass after 4, 8 and 12 weeks respectively in the lab-scale. In the plant, the remaining mass was 97.2% and 99.5%, much higher compared to the average of 68.9% after 3 weeks in the supplementary lab-scale test. The soft packaging samples (109±9 µm sample thickness) retained on average 45.4%, 10.9% and 0.3% of its mass after 4, 8 and 12 weeks respectively in the lab-scale. In the plant, a high remaining mass was also observed (94.0% and 93.8%). The supplementary lab-scale test showed similar remaining mass but higher fragmentation after 3 weeks. Conclusions: The results show that the samples achieved significant disintegration in the lab-scale but not in the plant. The difference between the tests that might further contribute to the differing degradation rates is the composition and heterogeneity of the composting substrate. Therefore, the substrate composition and thermophilic composting duration of individual plants are important considerations to determine the suitability of treating compostable plastic in real-world conditions.

Discussion of “Enhanced Pavement Performance and Improved Stability of Asphalt and Recycled Plastic Blends Modified by Exfoliated Clay Nanoplatelets”

Discussion of “Enhanced Pavement Performance and Improved Stability of Asphalt and Recycled Plastic Blends Modified by Exfoliated Clay Nanoplatelets”

Evaluation of the biodegradability of poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) and cassava starch films in municipal compost under controlled conditions by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide

Plastic waste pollution is a major environmental issue all over the world, with Vietnam ranking among the ten most polluted countries. As a result, it is critical that research aims to reduce pollution levels from this plastic waste resource through the fabrication and application of biodegradable polymers to replace traditional plastics. In this study, plastics blend film based on cassava starch/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (TPS/PBAT) (ratio of 40/60) was fabricated in a reactive twin screw extruder. Testing methods following the ASTM 6400 standard were used to evaluate the biodegradability of the film based on the TPS/PBAT blend shown that under controlled aerobic composting conditions (temperature of 58°C and humidity of 55%), the biodegradation rate of the film, calculated according to the amount of CO2 produced, reached of 91% after 155 days, and the disintegration degree of 96% after 53 days. The rate of bean and cucumber germination on the resulting compost demonstrates satisfactory terrestrial safety. The results of this study confirmed that TPS/PBAT film is a highly compostable material that can be used to improve the biodegradability of products like munch films, supermarket bags, seedling bags, and garbage bags.

Parametric characterization of recycled polymers with nanofillers

AbstractThe increasing production of plastics and its resulting environmental problems and waste management issues have prompted stakeholders and communities to focus on reducing, recycling, and reusing plastic products at the industrial level. While many important initiatives have been launched with a circular economy perspective, there is still a lack of research on the mechanical properties of various mixtures of recycled plastics. To address this research gap, the primary objective of this study is to present a parametric investigation on the homogenization of four different types of plastics: virgin polypropylene, recycled polypropylene, recycled high‐density polyethylene, and recycled low‐density polyethylene. The study aims to develop a homogenization methodology for multimaterial plastics reinforced with carbon nanotubes, focusing on their mechanical behavior, especially the Young's modulus. The second section of the research focuses on studying the Melt Flow Index (MFI) of various mixtures of recycled plastics. By analyzing the MFI, valuable insights can be gained regarding the flow characteristics and processability of these plastic blends. Finally, the research investigates the incorporation of nanoparticles into these novel polymers to enhance their mechanical properties, with a specific emphasis on addressing the reduction in Young's modulus caused by the utilization of recycled plastics. Overall, this study aims to contribute to the understanding of the mechanical behavior and processing characteristics of recycled plastic mixtures, as well as exploring potential strategies for improving their properties through the incorporation of nanoparticles.Highlights Mechanical and processing properties of Plastic blends are not studied yet. Proposing parametrical homogenization formulas to predict such properties. Mechanical properties obtained are low and not suitable for structural purposes Adding to the blend carbon nanotubes to increase their properties. Properties are increased up to 11 times for recycled plastics blend.

Hydrocarbon selectivity enhancement through catalytic fast co-pyrolysis of almond shell and plastic blends

BackgroundThe aim of this article is to explore possible pathways for the synergistic optimization of bio-oil by the catalytic fast co-pyrolysis of almond shell (AS) and plastic residues (polyethylene, PE, and polystyrene, PS). Pyrolysis was carried out at 650 °C at a heating rate of 20 °C/ms at a residence time of 20 s. Hydrogen from the plastic promoted the decarboxylation of acids and decarbonylation of carbonyls and sugars from biomass waste.ResultsCo-pyrolysis results showed a fall in oxygen in the AS/plastics blends, whereas carbon yields increased as did the calorific value of the oil. As expected, AS/PE blends enhanced production of hydrocarbon fractions, especially olefins, with yields reaching 81.1%, whereas AS/PS blends enhanced formation of aromatic compounds. HZSM-5 assisted the increase of monocyclic aromatics content in AS/PE blends. AS/PS blends favoured the increased of aromatics (45% of total hydrocarbons for 1:2 AS/PE-HZ). For AS/PS-HZ blends toluene was enhanced as was the production of 1,3,5-cycloheptatriene.ConclusionsThese findings helped to gain a great insight into how catalytic co-fast pyrolysis of feedstocks can enhance the formation of value-added products, promoting their economic potential for agricultural exploitations.Graphical